The Phillies lose 1-0 to the Giants in 10 innings in San Francisco, their third straight defeat.
AP SAN FRANCISCO — Tuesday night, the San Francisco Giants defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, who are now atop the MLB, 1-0 thanks to a walk-off sacrifice fly by Luis Matos in the tenth inning and four scoreless innings pitched by Spencer Howard.
Wilmer Flores’ flyball to third base moved automatic runner Tyler Fitzgerald to third, and Matos’ flyball to left off Matt Strahm brought him in after the Phillies failed to score in the top of the tenth inning against Sean Hjelle (2-1).
For ten innings, San Francisco’s five pitchers shut out the Phillies. Howard was the starting pitcher for the Giants after they employed an opener. Pitchers realized early on that everyone was tuned in, including Sean Hjelle, who pitched the final two innings. He talked about how pitchers would pass on shutout innings to one another in a contagious way.
Hjelle remarked, “I don’t want to be that guy that breaks everything up.”
After losing a four-game set in Philadelphia earlier this month, the Giants have won 10 of their previous 12 games. They have also won the first two games of their three-game series against the Phillies.
Manager Bob Melvin stated, “Late in the game, we’re doing a lot of our finest work.” “We believe we will win the game even if it is late, as long as we have a chance.”
Despite their first three-game losing streak of the season, Philadelphia (38–18) still owns the best record in the majors.
In his first outing of the season, Howard—who started his career with the Phillies—held his former side scoreless for four innings. He started the game after teammates Erik Miller and Taylor Rogers pitched three scoreless innings. Former top prospect Howard has been inconsistent over the past few seasons and last year inked a minor league deal with the Giants.
Howard said it was pleasant to pitch against known hitters and he tried not to be bitter.
Howard stated, “I’m just trying to get them to hit the ball.” “Eating the most innings and saving the pen, whichever it may be, is the most value I could provide.”
Zack Wheeler, the Phillies’ starter, threw 101 pitches, nine strikeouts, and two hits allowed. Wheeler, formerly a highly-touted prospect in the Giants’ system, has limited San Francisco to just one unearned run in his two starts so far this year. On May 6, he went seven innings with eleven strikeouts in a 1-0 victory in Philadelphia.
LaMonte Wade Jr., one of the Giants’ top hitters this season, would be out for a while, they found out prior to the game. Wade will be out for at least four weeks after sustaining a grade 2 hamstring strain on Monday while sliding into second base.
Manager Rob Thomson stated that third baseman Alec Bohm of the Phillies had a planned day off after making two mistakes in Monday’s loss. Bohm was pinch-hit in the tenth and was experiencing “general aches and pains.”
Prior to the game, Thomson expressed his confidence in the team’s defense and clarified that Bohm’s absence was not the result of defensive errors. In his last seven games at third, Bohm has made four mistakes.
Thomson remarked, “That was just a bizarre game yesterday.” “He has played incredibly steadily. He’s come a long way. He and I get along just well.”
ROOM FOR TRAINER
Phillies: SS Trea Turner, who has a strained left hamstring, expects to play catch on Wednesday after hitting off a tee for the first time since the injury on Tuesday.
Giants: IF and Howard Trenton Brooks was brought up from Triple-A Sacramento, where he pitched out of the bullpen and replaced Wade at first base. Tyler Fitzgerald, a utility player, was brought back from Triple-A Sacramento. .. LHP Drew Pomeranz and OF Ryan McKenna were designated for assignment. .. RHP Keaton Winn is almost ready to make a comeback, according to Melvin, after throwing 45 pitches in a bullpen session on Monday.
